Mel Ferranda lesbian candidate vying for Illinois state representative in the 40th Districtissued a statement condemning House Bill 4263, a measure Republican state Rep. Josh Harms recently filed that would broaden religious exemptions to the state's new marriage-equality law.
The legislation, HB4263, "provides that no religious organization, including a school, is required to provide religious facilities for a marriage solemnization ceremony or celebration associated with the solemnization if the solemnization ceremony or celebration associated with the solemnization ceremony is in violation of its religious beliefs."
The bill furthermore establishes that the term "religious facilities" applies to "places of worship and school buildings but does not include nonsectarian educational facilities."
"The ink isn't even dry on this law for true equality, and the first commitments of everlasting love have yet to be sworn, and already those fundamental human experiences are under attack," said Ferrand.
She added, "Harms is using this bill as nothing more than political grandstanding, rather than introducing legislation that would improve the lives of his constituents."